More Stratus XP, X-Stream, and Strada discussion
After the previous post I received an email extending the discussion. The first quote below is my reply with my comments interspaced between his. The second quote is from his followup email.
[Quote]
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| My Strada |
Him: Gary, The Strada looks cool. I’d keep it just for that reason. I sold my Strada (too high) and baron (too low) and looking at the LWB’s bikes.
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| Optima Baron |
Me: Looks like our feelings concerning the Strada are similar. I’ve wondered about a baron and how I would do on one. I may yet buy a used one just to try, especially if I can get a good enough price to pass it along without too much of a loss (in case I don’t care to ride it).
Him: I’m a tall guy, so I need the Xstream XL that does not exist yet.
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| X-Stream |
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| Stratus XP |
Me: I like my X-Stream.
Me: On the SXP it is much easier when stopping, you just put your feet down, and it’s an easy reach. On the X-Stream you have to rotate your upper body to an upright position or if you stay laid back it is an awkward angle for your legs. [But] Not a big deal for such a nicely designed bike.
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| Velocity2 (V2) 20″ F-wheel ver. |
Him: I was going to get the HS RANS V2 26 special edition. A bike dealer buddy, … rarely sees an SXP owner sell their bike. [Here’s a BROL article about the V2, 26″ version.]
Me: I’ll not be selling mine [i.e. Stratus XP]. The only slightly negative comment I have is that it is heavier than some bikes and that low speeds can be a little floppy. But, as the doctor said, don’t go slow. I don’t know anything about the V2.
Him: With that said, I’m a middle aged guy that can stand to lose some weight. The Xstream seems a tad faster than the V2, but I’ve never ridden a SXP. How would you compare the ride and speed difference between your Xstream and SXP.
Me: Let’s see: The SXP is like a comfortable over sized stuffed chair that you can nap on (I’ve done it, leaning against a tree - see the marquee photo above) and the X-Stream is like a hammock strung between two trees, i.e. comfortable but takes a little more attention getting on-to and off-of. Not really, but you get the idea. The X-Steam accelerates better, i.e. comes up to speed quicker. Even at the top of a down-hill I am at 20 earlier than on the SXP. Add a fairing/tail box/Q-rings to the SXP and you may have the speed of the X-Stream, but not the acceleration.
Him: Would the SXP be a good “ride with some roadie friends”, brevet and long ride sort of bike that you would consider reasonably speedy? Thanks for any feedback.
Me: Depends on their speed and how vigorously they attack the hills. Last week on the SXP I shadowed a somewhat fast rider at 19 to 20[+] mph, for 11 miles. We met and talked at Sumrall where he was turning and I was already on a return from a longer ride (I was at mile 45 on my 60 mile ride, he at mile 11 on his 22 miler). I left Sumrall after he was out of sight, caught him but did not pass even though there were down-slopes where I could have. He did not seem to know I was behind him for when he turned off after 11 miles he looked back, then forward, then quickly back at me, i.e. a double-take. However, I did have to let my hear rate run up more than usual, more than 85% max, on some of the [up-slopes]. This was on the Long Leaf Trace (a rails-to-trail project). Any more speed or, especially, any more climbing and I would have needed the X-Stream.
Me: I consider my SXP, especially the way I have it configured, a very good bike for brevets and long rides; although the longest I’ve ridden it in one day was 122 miles. On that ride I had it loaded with food, water, and the solution to every potential emergency I could think of. There were lots of real hills. I still averaged 13.1 mph, moving. That was at the beginning of the season; I’m in much better shape now. After the ride I felt great, just a little tired of being in a seat, same as I’d feel after a long car ride. When I got home I took my wife out to dinner.
[UnQuote]
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View from the Stratus XP’s cockpit. |
And here is some of his followup in a second email
[Quote]
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I’m pretty sure that I will not wait to see if an XL Xstream appears. That leaves me with the V2 26 and SXP XXL as choices. They are almost identical in weight. The V2 has the higher BB, thus should be a better climber. The SXP seems to have almost a cult following in terms of how much owners love it. I have mostly ridden high BB bikes over the past 10-15 years, so my only concern is the loss of climbing ability with the lower BB on the SXP. There is a 2008 SXP used in Kansas for a decent price. The V2 would be new and from the Hostel Shoppe. I am thinking I would get the Sling mesh seat for either bike.
The baron was a very cool bike. I hated to sell it but it was lower than a trike and frankly, always had shifting issues. I did RAIN on it. 161 miles in a day. It was very comfy, but the hamster bar caused to to not be able to straighten my arms after 161 miles. With that said, nothing else hurt. Very cool bike if you like it low.
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[UnQuote]
(The comment about higher bottom-brackets (pedals) giving better climbing performance than lower BBs is very interesting.)
